A Few Cards to Share

I finally took a few minutes and quickly edited some pictures of some cards from some recent classes and card swaps. The first card is from a swap using hostess sets from the new SU IB&C. I used "Of the Earth" a level 1 hostess set. The colors for the card came from the designer series paper "Tea Party". You wouldn't know it from these pictures, but "purples" aren't colors I normally choose.

The next card was from a class last month and when I made it I knew exactly which of my friends would be getting this one. And it was made knowing that I would be giving it to her to cherish the memory of someone she loved very, very much.

The last 3 cards were made at a quick and easy class I had last week. I had to go back to some basic layouts and work really, really hard to keep some of the cards simple. That's not an easy thing. But it worked and everyone completed all 12 cards in 2 hours. That's a good thing, especially when you have people who've never stamped before.

The other stamp sets used are medallion, fun and fast notes, and sentiments from thoughts and prayers and from warm words.

Blessings!

Julie's on Etsy

Julie has a shop on etsy. It's called "Design Pile" and currently features photo christmas cards. It's a great value for one of her designs. She also offers printing service if you like a better quality print - you know something other than wal-mart, snapfish, sams, etc.

Check out her shop here

And remember her designs when you get ready to order your Christmas Cards.

(And FYI Julie is my younger daughter and also has an addiction to paper. It runs in the family - Jill has it too!)

Blessings!

Friends 24-7

So hard to believe that more than a month has gone by since my last post. I really have made more than this one - single - solitary card. Really!

I've taken pictures twice. And realize that on my wish list I should be dreaming of a new camera - as in Canon Rebel (whatever camera that Jill bought on Julie's recommendation). Did I mention dreaming? Anyway, if I do get the camera how do I get in Julie's classes? She will be having a workshop in Southport in the spring, so if you have a digital SLR camera, I'm sure this class would be well worth your time and money.

I'll keep you posted.

Anyway, Julie bought a big new mac computer and her old one now resides in my home office. I'm having a difficult time transitioning to Photoshop. Again, I need classes. Julie needs to move closer. Wouldn't it be great if Brunswick Community College would add a photography/arts program and hire her. Dream, wish, hope!

Back to the card. This was one of the cards from my last class. The layout is from the 2009-10

SU Idea Book & Catalog. The stamp set is called Friends 24-7...such a great set. I'm so glad I have a 24-7 friend!

Blessings

Happy Birthday Bree!

Today's is Bree's 4th birthday. When I called her this morning she proudly told me that she is now 4, that when she goes to school (childcare) today she will be 4, and that she will be 4 for a long time. I guess when you're four a year does seem like a very long time.
Bree is all about pink. Her bedroom walls are pretty close to the pink layer on the card. She likes cupcakes and princess stuff, but is not afraid to pick up the worms that get caught on the driveway after a rain. She gathers them, places them back on the grass, and then waters them hoping they will plump back up and live again.
I used the scallop edge punch to make the cupcake bottom and a circle punch for the top. I had to add some pink rhinestones to dress it up a bit. And the sentiment - well, it says it all. So Very Sweet! At least I think so.
Happy, Happy Birthday Bree!

Mojo Monday Challenge

I made a card for todays Mojo Monday Challenge, and then I switched out the center of the card to give it a whole new look.  Choosing a patterned paper from SU Sale-a-bration collection determined the color combination.  The ribbon is also from last February's Sale-a-bration.   The circle background and thank you stamps are from Inkadinkado (at least I think).  The Japanese doll was made from punches.

This layout would be great to use for a brag book or mini album. Okay, now there's one more card challenge I would like to try before I begin dinner.  If I keep it simple, I just might make it.  

New Baby Card

My niece Stacy had a baby boy a couple of days ago.  She lives in another state so I'm glad my sisters have posted pictures so quickly to facebook.  He's a cute little guy - only weighs 5lb 5 oz.  Stacy and Will are home now and are doing great.  Congrats to Stacy, her husband Eric and their sons Ian and Bradley.

I used Taylor's Challenge layout to make the card for Stacy.  I found the soft sky patterned paper pieces near the top of my dp stash, so that determined the colors I used.  The sweet bundle of love stamp is from Sweet Celebrations, the little baby from Tag Time and sentiment from Congrats (all retired SU sets).  I used Blue Bayou ink for the image and sentiment. 

On her post, Taylor said this was an easy layout and she was right. Check out her blog and see some of the other great cards using this layout.

Catalog Inspiration

Most of the time I refer to the Stampin Up Idea & Catalog as just "the catalog." But it really is more than that. It really is a great place for ideas and inspiration. At the first Stampin Up workshop I attended, I purchased a catalog (see there I go again...calling it "a catalog"). Of course, I could have held a workshop or something and received it free, but that's another story or lesson learned. Anyway, the point is that I saw the value of having in my hand a wonderful source of ideas and inspiration. The card today was made using a sample on page 15 as the inspiration.
There is a level 2 hostess set in the new SU catalog called Asian Artistry. I really like the set and will hopefully be able to add it to my collection. But for now I pulled out a retired set (Calming Garden) to make this card. I used the same layout, kept the colors similar, and left off the ribbon. I also added a layer to the inside of the card. There is another sample on the same page that I think I would like to try with another stamp from Calming Garden. And then perhaps when I get the new set I can try both cards again with new images.
The original card can be seen in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog.